Back to Work-Out of Work (Updated pictures)
This was a course in American Lit back in 2010, when students could afford hard copies. Now, we went paperless, not precisely because we had the tecnology to go eco friendly.
Unless a miracle happens and we have a sudden makeover in Venezuela, which would start with a change of government and obliteration of every single government official who during the last 18 years have contributed to the destruction of my country, this will be my last semester at the Universidad de Oriente (UDO).
The decision was taken around January and by this semester’s end, on the first week of October, I should be, after 21 years o service, out of the place that made me who I am professionally and academically.
Back in 2009
I could still take my daughters to campus in 2009. Two years later, conditions were so poor that I stopped taking them. They have not stepped in campus since.
Two weeks ago, classes resumed after the summer break (we had actually left the semester half way and are now finishing it). For many of us, more than finishing the semester, we are finishing the most important period of our lives. We are putting an end to a relationship with an institution that traditionally had formed professionals who, unlike those in other places where people constantly move from one job to the next, devoted their entire lives, way after retirement, to the consolidation of higher education in the north-east region of the country.
The university was purposefully driven to chaos and eventual collapse by a populist totalitarian leftist government for whom education is a dangerous weapon against brain-washing ideologies and for whom equality means equal ruin for everybody, except those in power.
The science building, a former swarm of students, home of the most talented scientists in the area.
I visited my office two Mondays ago hoping to see some of my students, those who should be graduating this semester, but not even them attended. The level of isolation, stagnation, resignation, frustration and demotivation that has invaded us has reached a breaking point. Everything was desolate. Weeds grew everywhere; dusty furniture, dirty halls and pealed walls welcomed me back.
Robbers took even the handrails.
Two years ago we were still trying to make a difference. The bags of weed, dried leaves and branches we collected were emptied and stolen the day after our gardening session.
During the break criminals kept looting what was left of the equipments in different premises and we are in an increasing state of abandonment. They even stole the bust of author and politician Rómulo Gallegos.
The stolen bust had been vandilized many times.I had taken some pictures some years ago, one of which I used for my first #ulog-meme.
Another bust busted.
No authority (civil or military) has done or will do anything to protect this national patrimony. They have been playing the fool all these years, consolidating their power, driving out those who represented dissent, plurality, critical thinking, professionalism and excellence. They placed their mediocre followers in key positions to make sure every instance of university life would be at their service.
Windows were also stolen.
With more than 90% of student population and 50% of faculty and other members of the university community gone the closing is imminent. At least mine is.
Typical classroom now.
These tables and seats used to be crowded and noisy
It does not make any sense anymore to work at an institution where not even the minimal working conditions are guaranteed: no working/functional bathrooms, cafeteria, library, auditorium, sports facilities, transportation, medical services, laboratory, internet, or classrooms (most classrooms have been vandalized and left only with walls and desks) for less than $30 a month. A place where students and faculty are at the mercy of thieves, murderers and rapists.
P-Building, randomly chose. Any bathroom in capus looks exactlylike this one.
Yesterday, I decided that for the remaining 3 weeks of the semester students do not have to go to campus to attend my classes (Introduction to Literature, North American Contemporary Authors and Anglo-American History). I designed three assignments (2 videos to count as their presentations and 1 written paper), which they can send via email, whatsapp or post on any website they can. Extreme situations require extreme measures. We had to choose between academic and physical integrity; I choose the safety and sanity of my students as well as my own
.
All these pictures were taken at about 10 am, a Wednesday, a day and time that used to be rush hour.
Hopefully, this nightmare will be over soon and we will be able to rebuild and then teach and learn as we are supposed to at an institution of higher learning. But, for as long as the red revolution rules there will be no Institutions of Higher Learning in Venezuela. The intellectual genocide is almost complete.
Thanks for your visit. Your comments are always welcome.
Special thanks to my friend and colleague, Marlon Gonzalez for lending his phone and time to help me take the pictures that were uploaded today showing the terrible conditions of our Alma Mater.
Remember to support the initiative #ULOG promoted by @SURPASSINGGOOGLE and make your voice matter.
Visit ULOGS.ORG
La situación de desastre por la que atraviesa la U.D.O. es la misma situación de todas las instituciones del país.
That's what it is, brother, a micro cosmos of the country.
Sad but true. I'm leaving since 2013, and I'm still there. I've tried and tried, I've fought, I've finally decided to stay one more semester so my students can finish their special courses (if we can still call them so). I'm right here with you, @hlezama. Totally agree and understand.
Thanks, @marlyncabrera. I know that you, better than anyone else around me understands this pain and this dilemma.
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